Prepared By Craig Cooper Business and Technology Teacher

Prepared By Craig Cooper Business and Technology Teacher Trabuco Hills High School

Production Location Santa Monica Municipal Airport March 24, 2009

“Airport Owners and Pilots Association” (commercial title) Featuring actor: Harrison Ford Producer: Marla Friedler

Commercial produced by Marla Friedler Professor Chapman University Dodge College Film and Media Arts CEO Blue Tango Productions

Focus n There are many departments involved in film production and post-production. This presentation will focus on the film production and technical positions that can be prepared for in high school.

Departments The film production departments are: n n n Production (producer and assistants involved in logistics of the shoot) Camera (director and all the camera assistants) Sound (Sound mixer and all sound assistants) n n Grip & Electric (gaffer and all the electrical and grip assistants) Art (production designer and all the art assistants) Wardrobe (stylist and all the wardrobe assistants) Hair & Make-up (hair and make-up professionals and their assistants)

Production Department Professionals n n n n Producer Production Manager Production Coordinator Assistant Directors Script Supervisor Location Manager/Scout Production Assistants Following are the entry-level jobs in the Production Department:

Production Coordinator This person works under the production manager and producer and is the liaison between them and the production assistants. This person also is responsible for putting together the production books, which contains all the relevant crew and vendor information. Skills needed: Computer skills (word, excel), Good communications skills Possibilities for advancement: career track to producer position Work environment: Some office/ some set Personality needed: Organized, self start Salary: $200 -$400/day

Second Assistant Director/ 2 nd AD Responsible to the 1 st AD for preparing and distributing the daily paperwork, call sheets, production reports, contract, etc. This individual sees to it that the cast and crew is in the right place at the right time, maintains the schedule for each shooting day, and selects positions and directs movements of the extras. Skills needed: Computer skills (word, excel) with specific knowledge of all the specific forms used in production (call sheets, shoot schedules, etc. ) Possibilities for advancement: Career track to 1 st AD or Director Work environment: On set Personality needed: Organized, people oriented Salary: $200 -$500/day

Script Supervisor Maintains an accurate shooting script. Details all information related to each take, including length of shot, scene, and take number, camera placement, and printable takes, as well as any notations on dialogue, action, props, set dressing, wardrobe, make-up, and hair in order to provide continuity during shooting and to facilitate editing. Skills needed: Detail-oriented, knowledge of camera and directional terms Possibility of advancement: Possibly could become and editor Work environment: On set Personality needed: ability to take direction and self start Salary: $300 -$600/day

Production Assistant A production assistant is an entry-level position within the film industry. This position is responsible for assisting the producers and the production staff with all aspects of production. They answer phones, schedule meetings, copy scripts, and deliver scripts. Skills needed: Good communication and phone skills, general knowledge of film production Possibilities for advancement: Any position on a crew Work environment: Some office/ Some set Personality needed: ability to take direction and self start Salary: $100 -$250/day

Camera Department Professionals Director n Director of Photography n Cinematographer n 1 st AC n 2 nd AC n Film Loader n Camera Production Assistant n DIT (Digital Imaging Technician) Following are the entry-level jobs in the Camera Department that can be taught in high school classes such as photography and film/video production: n

Second Assistant Camera (Clapper Loader) The second assistant camera (2 nd AC) operated the clapperboard at the beginning of each take and loads the raw film stock into the camera magazines between takes, if there is no additional specifically designated film loader. The 2 nd AC is also in charge of overseeing the meticulously kept notebooks that records when the film stock is received, used, and sent to the lab for processing. Skills needed: Technical knowledge of how to use a clapboard, technical knowledge of how to record notes on the film canisters. This can be taught in film/video production classes offered at Trabuco Hills High School Possibilities for advancement: can move up the ladder in the camera department Work environment: On set Personality needed: Independent worker Salary: $200 -$300/day

Camera Production Assistant Usually a trainee in the camera department, the camera PA assists the crew with menial details while learning the trade of the camera assistant, operator, or cinematographer. Skills needed: Ability to assist where needed. General knowledge of how the camera department works Possibilities for advancement: Anywhere in the camera department Work environment: On set Personality needed: Detail oriented Salary: $200/day

Sound Department Professionals n n n Mixer Boomer Operator Sound Technician These are the entry-level jobs in the Sound Department that can be taught in high school:

Boom Operator The boom operator is an assistant to the production sound mixer, responsible for microphone placement and movement during the filming. The boom operator uses a boom pole, a long, special piece of equipment made from light aluminum or carbon fiber, which allows precise positioning of the microphone above or below the actors, just out of the camera’s frame. Skills needed: General knowledge of how to hold and/or hide microphones Possibilities for advancement: Sound mixer Work environment: On set Personality needed: Ability to stay quiet and focused Salary: $200 -$300/day

Sound Technician The sound technician basically pulls cables, but often acting as an additional boom operator when required. Not all films employ a sound technician, but the increasing complexities of location sound recording in modern film have made the job more prevalent. This role is sometimes credited as “cable man” or “python wrangler”. Skills needed: General knowledge of how the sound department works Possibilities for advancement: Sound Mixer Personality needed: Ability to stay quiet and focused Salary: $150 -$250/day

Grip and Electric Professionals n n n Gaffer Best Boy Electric Key Grip Best Boy Grip Dolly Grip These are the entry-level jobs in the Grip/Electric Department that can be taught in high school:

Dolly Grip The grip in charge of operating the camera dolly is called the dolly grip. He/she places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders. Skills needed: Ability to move dolly smoothly Possibilities for advancement: Gaffer or Key Grip Work environment: On Set Personality needed: Ability to stay focused Salary: $200 -$300/day

Positives and Negatives Aspects of Film Production Jobs Positive n n n It is a lot of fun You will work in a highly creative environment It is considered a “glamorous” job Negative n n No job security You will always be looking for your next job

Outlook What is the job outlook for these positions? The job outlook is poor in a down economy but good it an up economy. Also, your chances for work differ whether you are employed with an advertising agency or a free lancer. Working for an ad agency will bring you steady employment. Working as an independent contractor (free lancer) will force you to track down work constantly with Producers, directors and smaller advertising agencies.

Reflection What lessons were learned about the experience? Working in film production is exciting, fast paced and ever changing. You are always at different locations working with different talent. Education and training for these jobs can be obtained in high school. However, one must be concerned about the consistency of jobs when both the economy is weak and film production jobs are moved out of State in an effort by the film companies to save money.

Summary Han Solo says… Get training at school in film/video classes. Connect with producers and directors to get work. The motion picture/commerical industry isn’t easy but can be very fun and rewarding!